Texas Sheet Cake Recipe

Slice and serve this Texas sheet cake for a rich chocolate cake topped with warm chocolate icing and pecans in each bite.

Take it to a potluck event, use it as a birthday cake, or serve it up as a dessert for your family.

This is a rich chocolate cake that is made from scratch.

Learn how to make this chocolate crazy cake, zucchini cake, or even this banana coffee cake.

All of them are delicious desserts.

Reasons You Will Enjoy This Texas Sheet Cake Recipe…

• It is a moist and rich chocolate cake that is loaded with flavor. The chocolate glaze takes the cake to a whole new level.
• Simple pantry ingredients are needed to make this cake. You might have all the ingredients on hand already.
• This is a larger cake that uses a Texas sheet pan or jelly roll pan. So it makes a lot of cake, which is great for a crowd.
• It is a classic cake recipe that has been served worldwide for years. The taste of this cake might instantly transport you back to childhood.
• You can make this cake a day before you plan to dish it up.

Ingredients Needed

• Butter – This will add a lot of richness to the cake batter. It will also help the cake to be moist and soft.
• Water – This is needed to dissolve the sugar and cocoa powder and, of course, make a glaze for the top of the cake.
• Unsweetened Cocoa Powder – This is where the chocolate flavor comes from in the cake. It will add a nice, rich chocolate flavor.
• Flour—Flour gives the cake structure. Make sure to measure correctly so you don’t add too much or too little flour to the mix.
• Sugar – Sweetens the cake nicely and helps with the moist and fluffy texture.
• Baking Soda—This is needed as a leavening agent for the cake, and it will allow the cake to rise as it bakes.
• Salt—Salt enhances all the flavors in the cake. Without salt, your chocolate sheet cake will lack flavor.
• Vanilla—This is a great way to add flavor and aroma to your cake. If you have ever made a dessert without vanilla, it just seems to lack everything else.
• Buttermilk—This will add a bit of tanginess to your cake and also provide moisture. Buttermilk always adds such a unique flavor to desserts.
• Eggs—Eggs are a binder, but they are also needed to create a lighter texture in the cake batter.
• Powdered Sugar—Powdered sugar thickens the glaze and adds sweetness to the chocolate glaze you will pour on top of the cake.
• Pecans—You will want to chop your pecans into smaller pieces so they are bite-size. Although adding nuts is optional, they do add tons of flavor to this cake and help balance all the sweetness.

How to Make Sheet Cake

Full instructions on how to make this easy taco dip appetizer are in the recipe card.

This is a quick walkthrough of how easy it is to make a classic refried bean dip in individual servings.

Step 1: Start by heating up your butter in a saucepan on the stovetop on medium heat.

Step 2: Once the butter is melted, you will mix in the cocoa powder. Whisk to ensure it is fully mixed.

Step 3: Bring the mixture to a bowl and remove it from the heat to allow it to cool a bit.

Step 4: While the chocolate mixture is cooling, add all the dry ingredients to a bowl and mix well.

Step 5: Mix your vanilla, buttermilk, and eggs in a mixing bowl.

Step 6: Work in the chocolate mixture and mix until smooth. Then, add the dry ingredients: vanilla, buttermilk, and eggs.

Step 7: Spread the mixture into the pan and bake as directed.

Step 8: While the cake is baking, heat the butter in the saucepan and whisk in the milk, cocoa, and vanilla.

Work in the powdered sugar and pecans.

Step 9: Pour the icing over the top of the warm cake once it is done baking.

Step 10: Let the cake cool, and then slice and serve.

Variations to Recipe

• If you don’t want a nutty twist, skip adding nuts to the frosting. Or use a different type of nut, such as walnuts or peanuts.
• Add a teaspoon of cinnamon to the cake for a nice warm spice flavor.
• Add in a teaspoon of espresso powder for a rich coffee boost, and the espresso will enhance the chocolate flavor.
• Want a bit of spice? Add a pinch of cayenne pepper, and the cake will have a spicy kick.
• Mix in some shredded coconut with the pecans in the frosting for a tropical twist.
• Instead of butter for the glaze, replace it with creamy peanut butter except for two tablespoons, which you will keep as butter.

Tips For Making Cake

• If possible, I recommend making this cake using room-temperature ingredients: egg, butter, and buttermilk.
• Ensure you grease and preheat the oven in advance. That way, you are ready to pour and bake.
• Watch the cake recipe and do not overbake it, as this will cause the cake to dry out.
• Make sure to heat the frosting mixture well on the stovetop so it doesn’t have a gritty texture when you pour it over the cake.
• When you slice the cake, you can warm the knife blade. Then, wipe it dry and make a clean cut. Then, wash the blade, wipe, and slice for excellent, clean cuts.

Storing Cake

Once your cake is cooled you will cover with a lid or foil and place on the counter for 1-2 days.

Or you can refrigerate for 4-7 days for a longer shelf life.

How to Freeze Leftover Cake

Feel free to freeze any of the cake you do not plan to eat right away.

Freeze for 3-4 months and then thaw on the counter or in the fridge if you would prefer.

More Cake Recipes

If you like this cake recipe, you’ll love these ones too:

• Smores Cake – This Smores Cake is the best smores dessert, with the perfect combination of ooey, gooey chocolatey goodness.
• Applesauce Cake – This Old fashioned applesauce cake is really easy to convert into a super simple Instant Pot Cake recipe, saving you time without sacrificing the flavor and goodness of an old fashioned cake recipe.
• Banana Coffee Cake – A homemade banana cake that is loaded with mashed bananas, sour cream, vanilla, and more. Then top with this browned butter frosting that is perfectly sweet.
• Chocolate Crazy Cake – It takes no time to whip up this homemade chocolate cake because it’s made with pantry staples and doesn’t contain any milk, eggs, or butter.
• Honey Cake – It’s amazing how perfectly the honey combines with the rest of the ingredients to make a delicious mouth-watering flavor.
• Zucchini Cake – This Homemade Zucchini Cake with homemade cream cheese frosting and chopped pecans is a delicious way to enjoy zucchini.
• Chocolate Chip Pumpkin Cake – This pumpkin bundt cake with chocolate chips is one pumpkin recipe that you can enjoy all year long.
• Apple Dump Cake – It is ridiculously easy to make this dump cake from scratch. And it uses simple ingredients you are likely to already have on hand. You literally just throw everything together in one bowl, mix it and then bake it, and it is done.